By Marissa Lucas

Clay Hill Farm has started a brand new community outreach program, teaming up with local groups in the community to help them raise money.

In the coming weeks and months, Clay Hill Farm will be hosting what they call "Fundraising Fridays". On these Fundraising Fridays groups trying to raise money will receive ten percent of the money earned at the restaurant that night. The given group will typically be booked for two consecutive Fridays.

The idea was started in January of this year. As owner Jennifer Lewis-McShera recalls, “the restaurant was always brainstorming new ideas to demonstrate the philosophy of Clay Hill Farm, which is really about the importance of giving back. Also with the current state of the economy it is even more important to give”.

Clay Hill is interested in reaching out to a wide range of organizations, with a particular interest in promoting local efforts and the environment. Some of the recent groups include the Youth Center of Hilton-Win Farm, the York Food Pantry, and several regional Land Trusts.

Diners on Friday nights are made aware of the weekly recipient, as the servers discuss the event and the organization with patrons when seated and printed materials from the featured organizations are placed wth the checks.

Other restaurants are also beginning to participate in similar fundraising nights. Robert's Maine Grill, another Green Alliance Business Partner, also features a fundraising evening. These types of events not only improve a Business Partner's Report Card score; it also provides yet another way to use your Green Alliance Green Card whenever you visit the restaurant.

Clay Hill Farm promotes the idea that every green initiative matters, no matter how small, and that it makes a positive difference. Clay Hill works hard to weave together all their efforts, from the celebration of community (like fundraising Fridays), educational outreach, and working towards being as green as possible. An additional green initiative Clay Hill is taking is introducing a new spring menu that features many local products and ingredients.